25 Best Kids Books to Teach Social-Emotional Skills

Children’s books are an excellent resource to teach your children social-emotional skills such as manners, identifying emotions, bravery, problem-solving, and dealing with disappointment. We have compiled a list of our favorites to share with you!

These books help kids to understand and navigate the difficult world of emotions and social communication skills.

As a speech-language pathologist, I occasionally work with kids that lack social communication skills. I love to use books as examples to teach certain skills and illustrate emotions. I have compiled a list of my favorite picture books that help children develop empathy, relate to others, and talk about their feelings.

Emotions

The Way I Feelby Janan Cain
Using strong, colorful and espressive images along with simple verses The Way I Feel helps children connect the word and the emotion.

The Way I Act by Steve Metzger
he Way I Act explores thirteen ways of behaving. The friendly verses and bold illustrations convey many positive ideas of how to act in a variety of situations.

Today I Feel Silly by Jamie Lee Curtis
Silly, cranky, excited, or sad—everyone has moods that can change each day. And that’s okay! Follow the boisterous, bouncing protagonist as she explores her moods and how they change from day to day.

Point of View

A Tale of Two Beasts by Fiona Roberton
A little girl rescues a strange beast in the woods and carries him safely home. But the beast is not happy and escapes! A funny and charming tale about seeing both sides of the story.

I Will Surprise My Friend! by Mo Willems
In I Will Surprise My Friend!, Gerald and Piggie want to play a game and surprise each other-but the biggest surprise is the one they least expect.

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
In this hysterical and clever fracture fairy tale picture book that twists point of view and perspective, young readers will finally hear the other side of the story of “The Three Little Pigs.”

Bravery and Healthy Risk-Taking

Jonathan James and the What if Monster by Michelle Nelson-Schmidt
Whenever Jonathan James finds himself in a new situation, he hears his Whatif Monster asking all kind of questions to stop him trying something new: What if it’s scary? What if they laugh? Finally, Jonathan James has some questions of his own: What if they don’t? What then?

I Am So Brave by Steven Krensky
Whether it’s petting a dog or waving goodbye to a parent, Krensky and Gillingham address the “small wins” of growing just a little bit braver.

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
This empowering tale emphasizes the artistic process, gently reminding the creative spirit in all of us that there is no wrong way to create.

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
In a sweetly appealing tale of overcoming your fears, Gaia Cornwall captures a moment between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy you can’t help but root for.

Friends

How to Lose All Your Friends by Nancy Carlson
This book takes a light-hearted look at bratty behavior that will have children laughing in recognition while learning exactly how not to behave.

Enemy Pie by Derek Munson
It was the perfect summer. That is until Jeremy Ross moved into the house down the street and became neighborhood enemy number one. Luckily Dad had a surefire way to get rid of enemies: Enemy Pie. But part of the secret recipe is spending an entire day playing with the enemy!

Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend by Melanie Watt
In his latest adventure, Scaredy Squirrel sets out to make The Perfect Friend. And once he’s spotted a perfectly safe candidate (with no teeth), Scaredy’s ready.

Differences

We Are All Wonders by R.J. Palacio
We’re All Wonders may be Auggie’s story, but it taps into every child’s longing to belong, and to be seen for who they truly are. It’s the perfect way for families and educators to talk about empathy and kindness with young children.

Fair is Fair by Sonny Varela
Do special needs for one mean less love for another? This is the question explored in this short children’s story of three zoo animals. They learn that being equally loved doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re treated the exact same.

Can I Play, Too? by Mo Willems
In Can I Play Too? Gerald and Piggie meet a new snake friend who wants to join in a game of catch. But don’t you need arms to catch? Great book on including others who may be different.

Manners

Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller
In her smart, playful style Laurie Keller highlights how to be a good friend and neighbor—simply follow the Golden Rule!

What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick
If you drop just one soda can out the window, it’s no big deal … right? But what if everybody did that? What if everybody broke the rules …

The Monsters’ Monster by Patrick McDonnell
In this playful tale from bestselling picture book author Patrick McDonnell, a very BIG monster shows three very BAD little monsters the power of boundless gratitude.

Waiting Is Not Easy by Mo Willems
In Waiting Is Not Easy!, Piggie has a surprise for Gerald, but he is going to have to wait for it. And Wait. And wait some more… This book teaches the value of patience.

Problem-Solving

Dog Breath by Dav Pilkey
Hold your nose! Because here comes the dog with the worst breath in the world! Watch as the kids in this book try to find a solution for this stinky problem.

Let’s Go For a Drive by Mo Willems
In Let’s Go for a Drive! Gerald and Piggie want to hit the road! But the best-laid plans of pigs and elephants often go awry.

When Charlie McButton Lost Power by Suzanne Collins
Collins and Lester team up for a hilarious and timely tale that will crack up young computer addicts and those who love them!

Dealing With Disappointment

Not Norman by Kelly Bennett
With wry humor and lighthearted affection, author Kelly Bennett and illustrator Noah Z. Jones tell an unexpected — and positively fishy — tale about finding the good in something you didn’t know
you wanted.

A Perfectly Messed-Up Story by Patrick McDonnell
Little Louie’s story keeps getting messed up, and he’s not happy about it! What’s the point of telling his tale if he can’t tell it perfectly? This is a story about embracing life’s messes.

I obviously like Mo Willems books because I included them in almost every category! Let me know if there are any other books that you think would be a great addition to this list.